Looking for some fresh ideas for overly friendly dog!

[Caro Perry]

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I was hoping that as he matured Harri would cease to need to be instant best friends with every dog in the world but it seems it is not to be.

If he spots another dog that's it - if he's off lead he bolts towards it at high speed.
If he's on lead he sits down and refuses to move if I try and walk him away.

Recall? What's that? He doesn't hear me call or whistle or if he does he takes absolutely no notice at all.

No treat is high value enough even for my little foodie.

I know that you are meant to establish the distance at which the dog does not react and work on reducing it but with Harri there is no distance at which he doesn't react. The dog can be a dot on the horizon and he'll still try and get to it. Today he spotted a collie a good quarter mile away - luckily I was close enough to see him stiffen and grabbed him or he'd have been gone.

How on earth do I teach him to be more "dog neutral"?

 

[Violet Turner]

We had this problem with Doris but Dogs Trust helped so much! So, you can buy a long line lead if you have a flexi this will do. Take him to a park or somewhere with distractions such as dogs and people and children, get some ham, chicken, beef, even vegies will work (Something Harri likes). Then call his 'word' be it here/come; if he doesn't come to you help him along and draw the lead to you and when he gets to you reward him. This way it will teach him recall. Use “here” or “come” instead of the dog’s name. 6 Foolproof Ways to Get Your Dog to Come When Called

 

[Caro Perry]

We had this problem with Doris but Dogs Trust helped so much! So, you can buy a long line lead if you have a flexi this will do. Take him to a park or somewhere with distractions such as dogs and people and children, get some ham, chicken, beef, even vegies will work (Something Harri likes). Then call his 'word' be it here/come; if he doesn't come to you help him along and draw the lead to you and when he gets to you reward him. This way it will teach him recall. Use “here” or “come” instead of the dog’s name. 6 Foolproof Ways to Get Your Dog to Come When Called

He's on a long line now. He has to be. His recall is pretty reliable around children, people etc but completely and utterly non existent if there is a strange dog anywhere in sight. He HAS to go and say hello. This compulsion is greater than ham, sausage, cheese, liver cake, chicken or anything else I've tried (even Squeaky Dog!)

I'd love to get rid of the long line but at the moment I think he's on it for life unless we can crack this as it's only a matter of time before he gets bitten otherwise

 

[arealhuman]

We use a long line with Jimmy as he has no recall at all when out and about. He also will not respond to high value treats when something else has his attention, a bit like Harri. Jimmy gets nervous and vocal around other dogs, and he would throw a wobbly if Harri came running up to him, even though it's with friendly intentions! Not much help I know, but thought I'd share my experience

 

[JoanneF]

The book Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson gets some really good reviews - maybe some of her techniques might work?

 

[Caro Perry]

The book Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson gets some really good reviews - maybe some of her techniques might work?

Thank you - worth a try. He loves being off lead and poking around but at the moment he's a complete liability. Fortunately most of the dogs and their staff around here are lovely but it's only a matter of time before he meets one that isn't.